Reflexes

Reflexes—unconscious motor responses to sensory stimuli.

Reflexes are primitive and elemental responses that bypass our conscious choice. They are carried out at the spinal level. A reflex reaction bypasses higher centers of our consciousness. Awareness of the sensation of a reflex reaction occurs after the fact. There are dozens of reflexes; 3 of which are important to hatha yoga.

1. Myotatic Reflex: This reflex causes muscles to contract. (Knee-jerk reaction) It is found through out the body but is especially active in antigravity muscles, (calves, hamstrings, Para-spinal muscles) It helps muscles absorb dynamic shock, as in jumping off a chair and landing on your feet. Stimulating this reflex repetitively shortens muscles and diminishes flexibility, as in jogging, aerobics, etc. 

              

   Hatha Yoga: Youmove into the postures slowly and gracefully so you lengthen muscles and increase flexibility.

    

    

    

2. Flexion Reflex: This isthepain reflex and it restrains movement. The flexion reflex acts like a splint. It has a protective function. It makes your hand pull back quickly from a hot object. It also causes the muscle to spasm, (contract).

    

   Hatha yoga--- If you work a posture beyond your comfort zone, into pain, you activate this reflex, which stops you from moving deeper into the pose.

    

    

    

3. Golgi Reflex: This reflex causes muscles to relax. It is also referred to as the clasp knife reflex—like the blade of a pocketknife when it resists closure up to a certain point and then suddenly snaps into its fold position. It has the same effect in arm wrestling. When two opponents of match strength compete, the one with a good golgi reflex will loose. This reflex is relatively insensitive to passive stretch. It works something like a thermostat that shuts off the heat when the temperature rises.

    

   Hatha yoga ---The golgi reflex is stimulated anytime you are able to stay comfortable in an active posture for more than 10-15 seconds. Don’t bounce in the pose or you induce myotatic reflex and don’t take the posture into the discomfort zone or you trigger flexion reflex.